Oklahoma City Betting Preview
The Oklahoma City Thunder have been on fire as they’ve lost 21 of their last 24 games overall and they will be eager to finish with a fourth straight victory after blowing past the lowly Jazz in a 145-111 road win on Friday. Aaron Wiggins led the team with 35 points on 14 of 24 shooting, Isaiah Joe added 32 points with nine assists on 11 of 15 shooting, while Jaylin Williams chipped in with a triple-double of 15 points with 11 rebounds and 10 assists. As a team, the Thunder shot 56 percent from the field and a sizzling 24 of 53 from the 3-point line as they stormed out of the gates with 46 points in the first quarter to take the early double-digit. They just kept their foot on the gas, outscoring the Jazz in every quarter to win easily on the road.
New Orleans Pelicans Betting Preview
Meanwhile, the New Orleans Pelicans have been in a real slump, as they’ve lost nine of their last 11 games overall. They will be hoping to arrest a six-game slide after getting scorched by the Heat in a 153-104 home defeat on Friday. Jamal Cain led the team with 25 points off the bench, Antonio Reeves added 19 points while Elfrid Payton chipped in with four points, 10 rebounds and 13 assists. As a team, the Pelicans shot 40 percent from the field and 14 of 37 from the 3-point line as they struggled right from the tipoff, falling behind by 17 points at halftime. Things only got worse in the second half where they got outscored by 17. 82-50.
Why the New Orleans Pelicans will win
- The Pelicans have won six of their last nine games as home underdogs against the Thunder following a loss.
- The Pelicans have covered the spread in each of their last five day games following a home loss.
- The Thunder have failed to cover the spread in four of their last five day games against Western Conference opponents that held a losing record.
Why the Oklahoma City Thunder will win
- The Thunder have won each of their last 26 games against teams that held a losing record.
- The Pelicans have lost each of their last nine games against Thunder teams that held a winning record.
- The Thunder have covered the spread in each of their last 12 games at Smoothie King Center.
- The Pelicans have failed to cover the spread in each of their last six games against Thunder teams that held a winning record.
Matchup/League Facts
- The Pelicans rank 29th in the league for point differential per game this season (-9.4).
- The Pelicans rank 29th in the league for opponent field goal percentage this season (48.4%).
- The Thunder rank 1st in the league for point differential per game this season (+12.8).
- The Thunder rank 1st in the league for steals per game this season (10.4).
Pelicans vs Thunder Prediction
The Thunder are still missing Luguentz Dort, Jalen Williams, Chet Holmgren and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, while the Pelicans have ruled out CJ McCollum, Zion Williamson, Trey Murphy and Herbert Jones again. It’s always tough picking games where both teams are missing all their starters, but the Thunder’s reserves showed that they could smash the Jazz in their last outing, and I think they will cruise to an easy victory once again.